Biking In The Rain, And The Treasures You Find.

Wonder if the rain will stop? 

 You would never know it by looking outside right now, but it has been raining pretty much all day today.  There was supposed to be a gap in the showers from 10-Noon,  but you would have bet against it as we got out this morning. 

Looks pretty bad. 

I was able to put the bikes on, but by the time we got to Casey's for coffee,   the clouds opened up!

Might have to wait for it to end. 

Luckily,  we had a little shopping to do so we could delay getting wet for an hour or two.   By the time we finished, the rain has settled down to a fine mist and occasional sprinkle.  Lucky us!

Cheryl says," Let's go Shoping first!" 

We decided to take an easy bike ride today, since Cheryl is still recovering from her Madtown run.  I was feeling a little fatigued as well,   with all that driving, blogging, picture taking, and my general lack of sleep on race weekends.  7 miles seemed like a good idea.

Eventually the rain dies down. 

Cheryl has to towel off her seat. 

While getting ready to head out,   I noted that there were Carp flopping around in the shallows.  As I went down for a closer look,  I noted a Muskrat swimming around right near them.  At first, I thought it might be a mink or weasel after the fish, but no..  Just a muskrat.   (Muskrats don't eat fish like Mink do.) Still, seeing large fish trying to eat the grass off of the shore is a strange and cool sight.

Muskrats and Carp in the shallows
of the lake. 

Shaggy cap,  Beginning to turn
into ink. 

As we headed down the trail,  Cheryl noticed a shaggy cap!   A spring fruiting has finally reveled itself!    Too bad the mushroom was too old and began to turn into black goo.   They never seem to last longer than a day as it is.  I'm sure the constant rain has accelerated the process.  Had it been fresh,  I might have picked it and taken it home.  Shaggy caps are good for you!  And even though they have a short shelf life,  they do come out in the spring AND the fall.   Perhaps there will be more in the coming days.

Slimy Cap. 

Why do they call them "slimy" 

We also discovered several slimy caps.   I'm not exactly sure of their scientific name, but "slimy cap" is the common one.  You would understand why if you touched the top.  It feels slimy, but does not come off on your fingers.   Similar to snail or slug slime.

Touch the top,  Verly slippery. 

Some more!  Mature ones. 

Next to them were a few Web Caps.   Deadly web caps are in this family... and are rather common in the woods around here.   And although I'm not 100% on when they show up,  I do know that Web Caps do not have many edible species.  And with "deadly" being in the name, you can imagine Why there is not a urgent interest to gather any of these.  I'm pretty sure this is one of them.   The brown, widely spaced gills are a big sign. 

Gray-ish gills. 

Which one is the Deadly Web Cap? 

There were a few others we discovered along the trail today.   Nothing we could positively ID, ( except the Shaggy Cap.) but it is a good sign that a few of the Spring mushrooms will be coming out soon.  Who needs Morels anyway?

Not sure what this is, but it's yellow
with white gills...  Best to avoid. 

Some more,   Past their prime.
Note how the gills do not touch
the stem. 

Our Bike ride was cut short with the Flooded trail gate.   Once again, we may have to wait for the water to recede before being able to get to the City Park.  ( or Jurassic Park, as Cheryl likes to call it. )

Looks like the path is closed. 

Hopefully the water will drop back
to normal soon. 

  And Finally, we will be trying out our latest Wisconsin Beer.  We got a couple of new ones and are looking forward to sampling them.  I actually already had a sample, and found both of them very refreshing.

Sampling the Wisconsin Beers.   Yeah!  Beer! 

 The Lighter one is more of a Citrus/summer ale.  Very fruity and fizzy with a low alcohol content.  (Very drinkable... especially after mowing your lawn on a hot summer day.)  The darker one is a little more caramel-y with a wonderful hop bitterness.   I love hops and bitterness.   Especially if they taste like pines.

Hope everyone is staying dry today.   And hopefully the rain will not downpour as much as it did today.   Cheryl says it is supposed to rain all week.   I doubt the river will drop down to its normal levels if that actually happens.   But rains trigger Mushrooms!  And we have a bunch of spores in our yard just waiting for the right moment to reveal themselves.  Fingers crossed!

Thanks for stopping in.

Cheryl's Disappointing Mad Dash In Madtown.

No longer a "winner"

Well the honeymoon is over!  The racing streak is at an end and Cheryl has reached her Yoki Limit. (anime Reference) It was bound to happen and now we know the limits of racing every weekend for a month.   Good thing we did not quit our job in the hopes she would win us some cash.  But let us begin from the beginning.

A silver lining? 

At the start line/ 

Today was the Madtown Half Marathon.   And Cheryl did not win.  Opps... Spoiler!  But she did not walk either, so I guess that is a good thing.  And she finished...  Another good sign.   Oh!  And I guess she got third place in her age group.    Not exactly the results we were hoping for, but I guess there are a few silver ( or in this case... Bronze)  linings. 

I better leave the loading area. 

Cheryl next to the "Kenyans" 
He wins second, she wins 4th. 

The temps were mild with a 65 degree temps with a high humidity.  Rather cool to the exposed skin.   But this is not Cheryl's favorite weather.  However,  judging from the results,  it IS the favorite conditions of MANY other people.    And lots of people showed up for this race.

Kenyans out in front. 

You know the competition is serious when Kenyans and Ethiopians show up.   These are the Pro's in the runner's world.    They run these races just to pay their bills and buy a school for their village back home.  ( you can look it up!)  You might think they stick to the big races, like Boston, but sometimes they show up for these "little" races.   And depending on how many show up,  you can place your bets on what your chances are for a top three placement.

Followed by the pack.. 

Well,  three DID show up, but only two of them placed in the top three.  One guy from the Twin Cities got third and a local guy places 4th.  It was a crazy competitive race.

I think I see Cheryl 

By the Capital Steps. 

As for Cheryl,   I looked over the map and was not feeling peppy enough to run to mile 4 this year.  I might have done it in previous years, but this year,  Cheryl forced us to march 5 miles last night for Custard.   Our little walk to Micheal's may have had an effect on both of us, but we refuse to admit it.  Besides, I can't allow Cheryl to think she can smoke me on a short 5 mile walk.

Great Picture...  If I do say so myself. 

In good form 

The start was fairly quick.  I like the Madison races for that.   The speeches are usually brief, followed by the National Anthem,   followed by the gun.  Cheryl ran by right under the Capital Building steps.   And then was gone....

Cheryl's first mile. 

Problem at mile three, but it says she
is at mile 4!

I waited around for her and watched from the App on the phone.   It appeared she had taken off at a reasonable pace.  While listening,  I head one of the race officials say over the radio that they were having a problem with the three mile mat. 

Mile three must be broke. 

Looks like she is slowing down. 

Sure enough,  She appeared to have missed the mat at mile three, but was picked up at mile 6.  However, her pace had dropped a bit.   I wondered if my lack of support was effecting her performance now.   She did have her chewys and they had Gatorade on the course,  she should have been fine.

Run for the Money, Honey! 

Run like the wind! 

But as the top three runners rolled in,  I began to think something was wrong.   Perhaps I should have been there with my sign to help motivate her.   What could be more motivating than money?  $1000.00 Bucks!   Reminding someone of my... I mean, Her goal might have been just what she needed.

Like you're being Chased! 

Like you Stole it! 

In the end,   Cheryl finished at 1:43:23.   With a time that was approx.  7 minutes faster than last year.(1:50:57...  2018 time) She did not beat her PR from 2017, (1:42:08)  Nor did she win the $1000.00 dollar first place money.  I blame myself and not her Terrible Running Performance, her Horrible Physical Condition, her Poor Training,  or her Age.  I think if I had only reminded her of what was on the line, And all the things I...  I mean, We could have bought with that $1000.00 dollars,  she could have placed better.   And maybe some diet Coke at the 4 mile mark would have lifted her dreary spirits.

Just run FASTER! 

But not $1000.00 dollars. 

Cheryl gets a medal, and lunch. 

Of course, it is also possible that the conditions favored the opposition AND the fact that she has run a race ever weekend this month without any breaks.   Yeah,   maybe that, along with all of those other reasons clear me from any responsibility.  I think I feel better now.   Whew!  I almost felt like I was responsible for her bad running.   How crazy is that?

Mr Magoo in Peanut form. 

Handing out free peanuts. 

We did stay for the beer and a few photo ops with the giant Peanut Man.   He was handing out free peanuts to people, proving that this is an adult event.   I mean,  where else can you get beer and peanuts given to you?  A Bar?  You surely can't hand out peanuts at a school anymore,   for fear of killing all of the children with peanut allergies.  ( Anyone born after 1980, I think.)   He also was driving a Giant Peanut Mobile.   Like Batman, only cooler!  Cheryl had to get her picture with him.

Driving a Peanut Mobile.  Nothing
suspicious here... 

So that is all.    Cheryl managed to win third place in her age group, lose $1000.00, and "hug up" on a Giant Peanut.   Oh!  And win a medal and successfully finish 4 races in a single month... after working  for a week.  This allows us to strategerize for future events where running back to back races might become an issue. 

Well,  at least it looks cool.  

Similar to the Polar Dash this winter,   if she runs any of those Challenges where she  runs two races back to back,  we should expect the second race to not go as smoothly.  And if there is money on the line....  Well,  Perhaps we should try to chase the green rather than the Honor, Prestige, Mental health  and Bragging Rights.   High Self-Esteem does not pay the bills, after all.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend.   Thanks for stopping in and cheering Cheryl on.   It may be a while before another race, but the 4th of July is usually a candidate.   I'll keep you posted.

Greetings from Madison Wisconsin.... Again!

Run Crazy .. I mean Mad Town. 

It seems like only yesterday when we were here last.   When in actuality, it has been a Full Week!   We have been here so often this month, people are beginning to recognize us!   And that is dangerous when Superheros lose their Anonymity.   ( And us too!)

Sun has been Flexing lately.

So why are we in Wisconsin this time?    Why, the Run Mad Town Half Marathon!  ( With an emphasis on the Mad!)  This will be the last race this month and possibly for a while, as summer begins to show off its heat muscle.  So, after 4 straight weekends of running,  you can see why ending with a race that is crazy would seem fitting.

Lots of People.

This is a rather popular race.  Lots of folks sign up for it and we have done it several times ourselves.   Aside from the time of year,  most of the route is similar to other races in the area... so nothing new or foreign here.   Even the expo is slightly larger than the last several races we have attended.

Clouds are Welcome.

Small Expo.  Follow the signs....

That being said,  it was a rather small expo.   Cheryl had to follow the signs so we could find it on the basement level.  I should also note that the weather can't seem to make up its mind yet.   It is currently 83 degrees outside, but might be in the 50's with a chance of rain tomorrow morning.  Cooler is better for the runners.  Last year,  the weather was sunny and hot.   Not the best for a PR or any time in a Half Marathon.

Only had to hit the AC a few times. 

The other check in was a little more
aggressive. 

But at least the ride here was cool and overcast.   The sun did managed to elevate the temps enough for us to push the air conditioning button on Subie.

Finding the bib. 

Checking out the Bib. 

While at the expo,  we found the Volunteer Check in.  (As opposed to the Mandatory Check in....)  Cheryl picked up her Bib and scoped out several of the vendors for a new tank top/bib holder.   We also noted that there would be prizes at this race.

Finding the Tank Top for the Bib.

Cheryl's name should be here....

Being a larger race,  the prize money reflects the effort.   I guess it is an ill omen for Cheryl's name to be cut off of the Lexus Car.   I should have been right about here....

Cheryl's name should be HERE....

But the Checks for the Female winners are still up in the air.   I think you have to set your goals higher if you ever want to achieve anything. 

Writing my Motivational
Sign for Cheryl 

I think this will provide the
Inspiration that matters...

While waiting for Cheryl to look at all the stuff,  I decided to join several of the kids in writing my own "Inspirational Quote" to keep Cheryl motivated.   Inspirational quotes are so sappy and cringe-worthy.   My message  is Bright, Vibrant, and Straight to the Point.  ( I chose blue to really make the message pop out!)    I think she will find it highly motivating during the race.

Buying Beer and Cheese. 

Buying Food. 

After the Expo,  we visited our favorite shops for beer, cheese, and some lunch.   Cheryl was feeling the heat and the lack of sugar after a long ride and a delayed fueling..er.  Eating.   Even with some Kale salad,  Watermelon, and a cookie,  she was still hungry.   And that is not a good thing to be before a Half Marathon.

So off to get some Frozen Custard.

Buying Custard. 

Micheal's is A famous little shop here ( featured on Food Network, I hear.)  And Cheryl has been wanting to try it out ever since she noticed it  a few years ago.   It was supposed to be the "Celebratory Meal" after the race, but I guess they are closed tomorrow until around 11:00 AM.  So either we would have to wait for them, or miss it entirely.   Her solution?   Try it now!

Cheryl with  the Custard in her hand...

As seen on TV...  Food Network, that is.

The prices are a little high, but not for custard.   And the sundae was good, so I would visit it again.   Maybe next time we will not have to share one.   I'm sure Cheryl would approve.

Another festival at the same
time? 

I should also note that this weekend is "BRAT FEST".   Everyone here is after those Brats.  And although the Brats would go nicely with the Beer and Cheese,  I'm thinking 2 out of three is not bad. Plus, the crowd and the entrance fees are huge!

Too many people!  Too high of Prices...   Did I mention too
many people? 

 For the price, we could buy several 6 packs of beer and a dozen Brats.  And avoid the huge crowd.   Running Mad Town is going to push my "People Tolerance Threshold" already. 

Perhaps with a strong tail wind...
Cheryl might excede expectations! 

Well,  that is all from this end.  Tomorrow, with a little luck and a huge tail wind, we will hopefully have some great news to share after the race is completed.   Of course,  only if the weather does not rise above "Surface of the Sun" status.  Wish us luck!